FaithisPatienceandTolerance

By:MohammedZafarAhmed Patience in Islam, is not a mere fairytale phrase, but Muslims live it in reality. Islam urges us to be tolerant and forgive others. This is indicated in both the Quraan and the Sunnah. Indeed, one of the features of Islam is that it is the religion of mercy. By the same token the Muslim should be easy going, not one who puts others off; he should forgive when he is able to take revenge and be patientwhenpeoplemakemistakes. Tolerance and patience are traits of thesoulof every Muslim, a part of his belief inthereligionofIslam,acknowledgingtheunparallelsovereigntyofouroneand onlytruecreator,calledinArabicasAllaah. Once when the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was asked, What is belief/faith?He(Peacebeuponhim)replied:Faithispatienceandtolerance. Islam may tolerate anything, but it teaches zero tolerance for injustice, oppression, and violation of the rights of Our One and only Creator and that of otherhumanbeings. Patience is a basic principle of Islam. It is a religious moral duty. It does not mean concession, condescension or indulgence. It does not mean lack of principles, or lack of seriousness about ones principles. Sometimes it is said, Peoplearetolerantofthingsthattheydonotcareabout. But this is not the case in Islam. Remember, Tolerance towards falsehood is Intolerance. It should be clear that patience does not mean tolerating injustice or oppression. Also, we have to differentiate between two rights: rights of the individual and rights of the whole society. As for the rights of the individual, it may be better for the individual to forgive and forget about the wrong inflicted on him personally. On the other hand, as for the rights of the humanity, it is the obligation of the leaders of the Muslim society to defend justice and to confront oppression. Allah says: And those who, when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (arenotcowedbut)helpanddefendthemselves.Therecompenseforaninjuryis an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loveth not those who do wrong. Butindeed ifany dohelp and defend themselvesafter awrong (done)to them, against such there is no cause of blame. The blame is only against those

who oppress men and wrongdoing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a penalty grievous. But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an exerciseofcourageouswillandresolutionintheconductofaffairs(42:3943). Reading these verses and contemplating their meanings, a Muslim can understand that patience does not mean to tolerate injustice or unfairness. It is partoftherightsoftheMuslimtodefendhisorherrightsafterbeingoppressed, buttoforgiveisabetterchoice. Thisleadsustodistinguishbetweentherightsoftheindividualandtherightsof the humanity in the light of Islam. As for the right of the individual, it is often better for the individual to forgive and forget about the wrong inflicted on him personally.Ontheotherhand,asfortherightofthesociety,itistheobligationof the leaders of the Muslim Society to defend justice and to confront oppression.Islam teaches patience on all levels: individual, groups and states. It should be a political and legal requirement. Patience is the mechanism that upholds human rights, pluralism (including cultural pluralism), and the rule of law.

Mohammed Zafar Ahmed sowanzafar@gmail.com